Anxiety or depression? Why not both...

Ace1988 · ‎13-10-2019

Bit of a back story, I’ve been on medication for years now, for anxiety and depression. My anxiety is mostly health related and occasionally social. I’m a single mum, I’ve recently started and new job and a new relationship, which is so amazing and I’m so proud of how far I’ve come all by myself.

I decided that I would slowly come of my meds and for the first month I felt great. This past couple of weeks though, I’ve noticed those little thoughts and feelings creeping back in and taking over my space again, particularly the health anxiety. I’ve been so teary and snappy and just not excited about doing a whole lot. I’m not excited about my new job which I’ve only been in for a month, and the thought of socialising just makes me cringe. I’m so disappointed and frustrated. Why can’t my brain be wired differently?

geoff · ‎14-10-2019

Hello Ace, a warm welcome to the site and for posting your comment.

We often hear stories posted by people who have been in the same situation as to what's happening to you at the moment.

They take their medication either for anxiety, depression or for both of these, then believe that their condition has evened out and don't need the medication anymore so they stop and feel great for a few weeks, then suddenly start to fall back in their darkness.

Your doctor needed to be informed of this and then gradually reduce the dosage down to zero if they agree, but they also know what could happen if you stop and advice you against it.

I am really sorry that you feel this way and can I please suggest that you go and see your doctor, I'm not qualified to say, but I know from myself that I will be taking my medication probably forever as this is what my GP has told me.

Hope to hear back from you.

Geoff.

romantic_thi3f · ‎14-10-2019

Hi Ace1988,

Thank you for your post. I'm so glad to hear how proud you are of yourself and I hope that you keep being able to recognise that. I'm sorry though how tough it's been coming off the medication. I agree with Geoff in that it can be really hard coming off, especially if you've been on medication for a while.

Often medication though can be a bit of a cover - while they may reduce some of the symptoms (like intense panic), they're not able to work on the thought processes behind it (like when we convince ourselves our symptoms mean something sinister). So sometimes it can help to look at getting a bit of extra support - like therapy - to help.

It is unfair that you have to go through this - I wouldn't wish it on anyone. But while your brain may be wired this way at the moment, it is plastic - so you can 'rewire it' to make things easier and more manageable.

RT

Ace1988 · ‎14-10-2019

Hi Geoff and RT,
thanks for replying 🙂

I did forget to mention that I did come off with the support from the doc 🙂

I’m now back on my medication, and will organise to talk to a professional about everything, which is hard for me to do as I don’t usually do a lot for myself in that regard. I know I need to look after myself as well as my child, but I don’t see myself as priority.

Im feeling very “meh” about everything. Neither here nor there. I’m not sure if that makes sense, but I don’t like it one bit.

thank you again guys, for replying. It’s great to see so much support on here for one another.